Able Quote by Anonymous
“I cannot find a faithful message-bearer," he wrote to his friend, the scholar Atticus. "How few are they who are able to carry a rather weighty letter without lightening it by reading.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Unknown correspondence, early 20th century
Faithful messengers are rare; many dilute important messages by interpreting rather than conveying them directly.
In simple terms: People often alter messages when they read them.
Seek direct, unaltered communication.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic research
- personal letters
- media reporting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you verify a message’s authenticity?
- When is interpretation helpful?
Interpretation can be necessary for clarity, not always distortion.